Cover-locking ear for pails.



No. 69!],l04. Patented Dec. 3|, l90l.

J. W. GRIER.

COVER LOCKING EAR FUR FAILS.

' (Application filed June 1 1901.)

(No Model.)

WITN ESSEEL m: npams Pinks co. momuwa, WASHINGTON o c TTnD STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES XV. GRIER, OF VVILKINSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

COVER-LOCKING EAR FOR FAILS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 690,104, dated December 31, 1901.

Application filed June 11, 1901. Serial No. 64,061. (No model.)

To (0Z5 whom may concern:

Be it known that 1, JAMES W.Gn1nn,a citizen of the United States, residing at Wilkins burg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cover-Locking Ears for Pails, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to dinner-pails and other covered vessels; and the primary object thereof is to provide simple, improved, and effective means for securing the cover in place.

The invention consists, primarily, of a bailear provided with an inward extension past which the cover is adapted to move when being put in place, with the ear projection overhanging the cover in such manner as normally to prevent removal of the latter.

The invention consists, further, in so constructing the secured end of the ear that the ear, though comparatively short, may be readily sprung outward to release the cover.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation of a dinner-pail provided with my improvement. Figs. 2 and 3 are detail views of the improved ear. Fig. 4 is an elevation of a dinnenpail having a projecting tray and provided with elongated bail-ears constructed in accordance with my improvement. Fig. 5 is a detail perspective View of the ear shown in Fig. 4.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2, and 3 of the drawings, 2 represents the body of the pail, and 3 the combined cover and tray fitting the top thereof and formed with the usual edge flange 4, which rests on the edge bead 2 of the pail. 5 represents the bail, which is looped at its extremities in the usual manner to unite with the apertured upper portions 0 of the improved ears 7. The lower portion 8 of the ear is enlarged transversely and cut away on opposite sides of the main portion 7, as indicated at 9, thus forming upwardly-projecting wings 10, which are riveted to pail-body 2 beneath top bead 2. The main portion 7 of the ear is formed with the outward bulge 11 to pass upward around head 2 and with the inward bulge 12, immediately above bulge 11, which normally overhangs cover-flange 4 and holds the cover securely in place. The

inner face of the upper portion of bulge 12 is inclined, as shown, so that the cover may be readily positioned by mox ing down over the ear and springing the same outward, as will be understood. The bail is so constructed as to maintain a constant inward pull upon the ears, thus acting as a spring to hold them normally drawn inward in cover-locking position. Ordinarily the metal of the ears possesses sufficient spring for this purpose; but by arranging the bail as stated the locking feature is made certain and positive.

By constructing the lower portion of the ear as shown and described I am enabled to properly secure the ear adjacent the upper edge of the pailbody, and at the same time the length of the main portion 7 is sufficient to provide for outwardly springing the ear when removing the cover. Also with the lower portion 8 of the ear unsecured to pail body 2 thesaine has a tendency to spring or bulge outward along with the main portion 7 of the car, as shown at 13, Fig. 3, thus angmenting the springing tendency, which is very desirable in the short bail-ear of Fig. 1.

In the construction shown in Figs. 4 and 5 a projecting tray 14 is provided with a bead 14, which rests on the upper edge of the pailbody 15, and resting on tray 14 is cover 16, formed. with edge flange 17. In this form of pail an elongated car 18 is provided, which is secured at its lower end in the usual manner to the pail-body and is of sufficient length to reach above the pail-cover. The ear 18 is formed with the covcr-locking bulge 12, as in the construction shown in Fig. 1, said bulge overhanging the cover-flange 17 and operating in the same manner to normally secure the cover in place. The ear is of sufiicient length to spring outward for releasing the cover without constructing its lower end like ear shown in Fig. 2, though such construction may be used, if desired. The bail 5 of the pail of Fig. at operates as a spring to hold the ears normally drawn inward in looking position, as described of the bail shown in Fig. 1.

While I have here shown and described the preferred adaptation of the invention, I do not restrict myself thereto, as the bail-ears may be formed or provided with cover-engaging projections of many different forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the in- ICO vention. Though the locking devices are here curing ear seour shown and described in conjunction with bailtremity of the ear b eing enlarged or extend- 25 ears, it will be understood that cover-secul ed laterally on opposite sides With said eX- lngdevices maybe constructed in accordance tensions formed with the upward projections 5 with the invention which do not form con- 10 the free upperportions of said projections being secured to the pail, substantially as I I The comblnatlon of a pail, a cover there- Having shus f u m. e iil f bail-em Will ll X ill! (a l W ill] will Jill ll l) \l W 

